Freshie Forecast: College Expectation Meets Reality

Entering college is often filled with hope—this is a phase where everyone takes life more seriously, plans their future career, and learns how to make college life worthwhile. But the transition is not instant, especially if you're just starting to settle in a new environment—it's a slow process of putting together the pieces until the full picture comes into view. 

It started in freshman year, a year when students are filled with idealized scenes already curated in their minds: late-night studies, sipping organic matcha while enjoying the deep yet witty discussion with a newfound circle of friends. And their dorm? An aesthetic landscape one you usually see on social media. But in reality, within the first two weeks, students realize that late-night studies will turn into late-night cramming, and the "witty discussion" is really about academic workloads that are piling up. And the dorm? Let's not get into that. 

Freshman year often turns out to be less about self-discovery and more about learning how to navigate campus life. While college handbooks promise excitement and independence, they rarely mention the emotional labor of figuring everything on their own.

Syllabus is a Lie 

The syllabus provides direction for courses, lessons, and activities. In high school, it is a reassuring safety net that gently whispers of constant reminders and due dates. But now, reality sets in: in college, there is no gentle introduction. 

“There are a lot of readings agad-agad, which is a culture shock for me kasi I expected na mai-introduce muna yung program and courses na ite-take namin along the way,” said Kathleen, a freshman Communication Research student. From her experience, one thing is true: the syllabus is a lie. It’s no longer a safety net; it only delivers the harshest academic culture shock.

Despite this, Kathleen says having new friends makes it less of a burden. Describing her social groups as “helpful” when it comes to managing both academic and organizational responsibilities.

For her, meeting new people who are responsible and dedicated to their studies is enough to survive the first month of being a college student. While for Maeber, an Industrial Engineering student, her freshman year gives hope to build a genuine and lasting connection with her newfound friends. 

After all, college life isn’t limited to lectures and schoolwork; there’s also the challenge and fun of meeting new people and the endless discovery. The syllabus may lie, but true adjustment in freshman year comes from meeting your own people. 

Adulting on your Own 

Stepping foot in a place you have never been feels unsettling; you have to navigate the campus premises alone, and suddenly, you are now responsible for your own existence. This is what college promises us: independence. Yet the growing anxiety of how to do it on your own is terrifying because independence is just another word for “adulting alone.” 

Sharmaine, a freshman in Secondary Education, is already battling the avenues and the boulevards of Metro Manila even before the sun rises just to chase her morning schedule. With a simple goal in mind: “I will manage Metro Manila traffic and avoid tardiness as long as I leave home early.”

But there’s still traffic, long queues, and railway malfunctions—commuting has a cruel sense of humor. “Commuting is one of the things na I felt so culture shocked ever since I became a college student,” she admitted. “Minsan, kahit maaga ka [umalis], late ka pa rin.”

But for those living near campus, mornings may be different—cozier and slower. 

Jyzll Anne, a 32-year-old freshman also in Secondary Education, enjoys independence: managing her own supplies, academic responsibilities, and finances. Juggling her part-time job and studies, living near the university allows her to be more productive and save time. 

There may be hardships in the way, but for her, “Going back to school is the best decision I made kasi mentally and emotionally stable na ako ngayon. I have the drive na to finish what I started.”

Oftentimes, freshmen hear: college marks the beginning of "real life"; it’s the start of independence—the first step to adulthood. It's a training ground, where self-reliance, responsibility, and decision-making skills are acquired, complete with trials, pains, and occasional tears; it’s a challenging yet exciting chapter. 

One Vital Pulse

Beyond the new experiences and excitement lie the quiet moments that whisper to every freshman: college life is not as easy as it first seems. Expectations rarely align with the realities freshmen were handed. It’s more of navigating lectures, newfound friendships, and unfamiliar routes—a huge world outside home.

From sleepless commute nights to cozy dorm evenings, each day may unfold differently for every freshman, but their stories have one common denominator: to grow and arm themselves with knowledge for the key to a better future.

Because the door to learning never truly closes, despite the year on the calendar. As Kathleen 

put it, “Matayog ang pangarap ko kaya kailangan matayog rin ang lipad.”  

As the semester unfolds, one thing is clear: expectations set the tone, but experience writes the story.

For freshmen, even the roughest roads we take blossoms into lessons of unexpected significance. The pressure of deadlines and lectures, the unfamiliar routes, and the late-night study sessions all point to one truth: growth happens outside of our comfort zones. When expectations meet reality, disappointment may come—but so does learning.

Article: Lovelie Risha Camilao & Jhanizza Thea Rivera

Graphics: Ericka Castillo